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Vince Cable denies 'all knowledge' of Oakeshott leadership poll

Business Secretary Vince Cable said he had "absolutely no knowledge" of the leadership poll conducted by Lord Oakshott, though he conceded he was aware of other polls the Liberal Democrat peer was conducting in the run up to next year's general election.

Mr Cable said Lord Oakeshott was a long-standing friend, and he regretted he had decided to leave the party.

He said he was aware of private, local polls being conducted by his old friend that had nothing to do with national leadership. Yesterday Cable said conducting the leadership polls and leaking the results to the Guardian were "reprehensible."

Liberal Democrat party sources told ITV News that several constituencies are planning meetings to discuss Nick Clegg's future as leader, whilst senior party sources said "of course the leader" was one of the issues the party needed to address in the run up to next year's election.